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Crystal Shawanda Wins Juno Award; Donny Parenteau Performs

ICTMN Staff

4/23/13

Country musician Crystal Shawanda, Ojibwe, took home the award for Aboriginal Album of the Year at the 2013 Juno Awards ceremony, which took place April 21 in Regina, Saskatchewan. The Junos are often called the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy Awards.

Shawanda's 2012 release, Just Like You, triumphed over four others honored with nominations in the category: BURNT-Project 1's The Black List, Don Amero's Heart On My Sleeve, Donny Parenteau's Bring It On, and Janet Panic's Samples.

The win was one of a few highlights for Shawanda in recent days. On Friday, she played a concert at the Nike N7 Sports Summit in Beaverton, Oregon. Shawanda is a member of the Nike N7 board. On Sunday, Shawanda was among the artists who participated in the Juno Awards Songwriters' Circle, sharing the stage with seven-time Juno award winner Tom Cochrane and performing her song "Chains."

On Sunday, Shawanda expressed tremendous gratitude via her Facebook page. "Last night was so magical,and it has been a whirlwind since I won my Juno!" she wrote. "I still can't believe it, and I'm just so thankful!!! Thank you so much everyone for you amazing, beautiful support, you all carry me! Thank you to my fellow nominees, you inspire me with your talent, and camaraderie."

Speaking of fellow nominees, a couple of the other Aboriginal artists had memorable moments. Janet Panic wore an eye-catching outfit on the green carpet that included feathers, fur and silver antlers. The look earned her a spot on the "worst dressed" list compiled by Huffington Post Canada, but Panic seemed unfazed, posting the link to her Facebook and Twitter pages with the comment "I made Huffington post's worst dressed list. Sweeeeet!"

Additionally, Donny Parenteau was one of the aritsts who performed at the Gala Dinner & Awards:

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